Why Joseph?

His Qualifications as Jesus’ Step-Father

While Mary gets all the “press”, I think this morning we should take a look at Joseph. I personally believe there is a reason that the Holy Spirit directed the writers of the Bible to include every detail that was written for a reason, and Joseph is no exception. Let’s try to discover together why God would include Joseph in the life of Jesus, other than just being Jesus’ step-father.

When we consider the steps it takes to adopt a child In the United States, besides the home visit to make sure you have the physical needs necessary to take care of a child, they also examine the prospective mother and father, to make sure the child will be taken care of emotionally as well. There is an interview process that the parents go through to make sure the parents have the mental and emotional abilities to take care of a child. If it is a special needs child, the process is even more rigorous.

There is nothing scriptural about my supposition on why God chose Mary and Joseph as prospective parents for God’s one and only Son.

I am sure God searched the world over to find the best parents fit to raise His child.

Interesting that God found a couple who were not even fully married yet. Mary and Joseph were engaged to be married, but not fully married. Back then, when a couple were engaged, if they wanted to split up, they had to get a writ of divorce. That brings us to our current study.

Why did God choose Joseph to be Jesus’ stepfather?

1. Joseph was from the line of David.

This fulfilled the prophecy in Psalms 132:11 ,among many others. Here God promised David that one of his sons will set on his throne. That will be fulfilled in the millennial kingdom. Because God always keeps His promises, the Step-Father had to be from the line of David. Matthew 1:1-17 shows that Joseph qualifies. It is noted that in those days, the linage was always from the male, but in Jesus case, it was in Mary’s linage too, Luke 3:23-38 . I believe this was to remove any doubt that Jesus came from the blood line of David, no mater how people looked at it. Remember, not everyone back then knew that Joseph was Jesus’ stepdad and not His real dad.

Psalm 132:11 (ASV)

Jehovah hath sworn unto David in truth;

He will not turn from it:

Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

Matthew 1:1–17 (ASV)

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren; and Judah begat Perez and Zerah of Tamar; and Perez begat Hezron; and Hezron begat Ram; and Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon; and Nahshon begat Salmon; and Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat David the king.

And David begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah; and Solomon begat Rehoboam; and Rehoboam begat Abijah; and Abijah begat Asa; and Asa begat Jehoshaphat; and Jehoshaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Uzziah; and Uzziah begat Jotham; and Jotham begat Ahaz; and Ahaz begat Hezekiah; and Hezekiah begat Manasseh; and Manasseh begat Amon; and Amon begat Josiah; and Josiah begat Jechoniah and his brethren, at the time of the carrying away to Babylon.

And after the carrying away to Babylon, Jechoniah begat Shealtiel; and Shealtiel begat Zerubbabel; and Zerubbabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham unto David are fourteen generations; and from David unto the carrying away to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon unto the Christ fourteen generations.

Luke 3:23–38 (ASV)

And Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Jesus, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Symeon, the son of Judas, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

It is noted that they list Joseph as the “supposed” father. This is keeping in tradition of the Jewish establishment at the time. They rarely list the females in their genealogies. So Joseph was Heli’s son in-law, not son.

Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem:

Micah 5:2 “But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”

This was accomplished only because Caesar required everyone was to got to the town of their birth to pay a tax. Since Joseph was born in Bethlehem, he took Mary there to pay their tax.

Luke 2:1–5 “Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child.”

Matthew 2:1–12 “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written through the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah: For out of thee shall come forth a governor, Who shall be shepherd of my people Israel. Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him.”

2. Joseph was a “Just” Man

The word “Just” in this context is from the Greek word dikahyos, which can be translated as “equitable” or fair. This isn’t what we normally think of when we see Just, as we think Just is what someone diserves, in this case Mary deserved stoning. That is not what Joseph had in mind in this instance

Matt 1:19 Joseph thinking that Mary had an adulterous affair, was looking to not make a public example of her and have her stoned, decided to just quietly divorce her privately and then they would both go their separate ways. This show’s he fair, kind and compassionate.

Matthew 1:19 ASV

And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

3. Joseph Was an Obedient Man

Matt 1:20-25 In this passage, an Angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him not to put her away.

Matthew 1:20–25 (ASV)

But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us.

And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.

Think about the faith this guy had. Here his fiance comes to him and says that she’s pregnant, not by man, but by God. Nothing like this has ever happened before, and nothing like this has happened since. So, he has a dream and an Angle tells him what Mary does. But instead of doubting, he believes and takes Mary as his wife. Joseph had faith and was obedient to God, even when it was difficult to do so.

4. Joseph was a Man of Faith

Matt 2:13-15 Herod being Jealous after the wise men informed him of a new king being borne, ordered all male children up to the age of 2 to be killed.

Matthew 2:13–15 ASV

Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt; and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son.

An angel came to Joseph to warn them to flee Isreal and go to Egypt to save Jesus. Joseph again, did not hesitate, ask questions, or doubt, but quickly obeyed the Word of God through His messenger. He gathered his family and promptly took them to Egypt.

I think that by now, Joseph figured that Jesus wasn’t an ordinary child. The events going on, Mary’s virgin birth, the visit of the Magi, and two visits of an Angel. He may by now understand the weight of respsonibility he had that no other ordinary father had. Joseph was indeed a man of faith.

5. Joseph was the Leader of His Household.

Matt 2:19-23 After Herod dies, Joseph was given the all clear to go back home, but not to Bethlehem or Jerusalem, or Galilee, but to Nazareth. A note about Nazareth. Aparently Nazareth in those days did not have a very good reputation. Remember when Nathanael, in John 1:46

Matthew 2:19–23 ASV

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child’s life. And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee, and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene.

John 1:46 ASV

And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

We do not read any objections coming from Mary. It wan’t like, “ I’m tired of running, I think it’s safer here then Isreal, let’s just stay!” or “Haven’t you heard was a rotten neighborhood Nazerith is? We can’t raise a child there, it’s too dangerous!”

Joseph just told Mary that it was time to go, and He was taking full responsibility for his families safety.

Joseph had gained Mary’s trust by watching his faith and obediance to God, and she obeyed. Joseph was indeed the leader of his householed.

6.Joseph was a Little too Trusting

Luke 2:41–46 ASV

And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem: and his parents knew it not; but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions:

With all the good qualities that Joseph had, one weak one was being a little too trusting. Joseph thought that Jesus was with someone in the caravan. It took a full day before he finally realized that Jesus wasn’t with them. You could tell the Joseph really cared about Jesus as the Bible says Luke 2:48

Luke 2:48 ASV

And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing.

This shows the love that Mary and Joseph had for Jesus. As much as Josepth loved Jesus, he was just a little careless and too trusting in this instance. We assume he learned his lesson as we do not read of any other instance of Joseph loosing Jesus.

Conclusion:

Now, we can say, “That’s great information about Joseph that I may, or may not, have known. What has that got to do with me?”

I’m glad you asked!

All the characteristics mentioned above about Joseph, except being born in Bethlehem, and living in Nazareth, I believe are the characteristics God looks for in us in order to live a life that pleases Him.

Then perhaps we should study those qualities mentioned about Joseph and learn how to live our lives in a way that would be pleasing to God in that He could use us in a mighty way as He used Joseph. Single ladies, perhaps you should be looking for these characteristics in your future husband, aw well as living that way to please God, and be an example to my future or current husband.

Ask, am I a Just or Kind person?

Ask, am I Obedient to God?

Ask, am I a Person of Faith?

If I am the current husband / father Ask, am I a good leader for the family? Have you earned your trust to your wife?

also ask, am I a shepherd of the family? Making sure the flock is always accounted for and safe?

These are a lot of self-reflective questions, but they are the ones that enable us that enable us to examine ourselves, kind of a check-list if you will, to see if were are on the right path to living a life pleasing to God.

Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.”

It starts with us, but it doesn’t end with us. We are to make disciples and teach them these principles as well. If you don’t know how to make disciples, come see me afterwards and I can help you get started.

If we all lived a life that would please God, our world would be in a completely different place then we are in now. If we all lived to please God instead of ourselves, there would be “Peace on Earth and Good will to men”

One last question:

Ask, am I a servant of God? Do you know if you have a personal relationship with Christ? If not, are you willing to humble yourself today and ask Jesus to forgive your sins, to come into your life and help you become a man living his life that is pleasing to God in a way that God can use you in a mighty way today!

Are you ready to submit yourself to Christ and begin to have a personal relationship with Him to start living a life pleasing to Him that God can use you too in a mighty way!

Let us pray,

God, thank you for showing us in your Holy Word on how Joseph’s life can be an example to us on how to have the characteristics in our lives that would please you. Fill us Lord with your Holy Spirit that He may give us the strength and wisdom on how to implement those characteristics into our lives. Be with us this week, and may we live a life pleasing to you. And for these things we would give you all the Glory, Honor, and Praise.

Amen!